The Glory of the Cross
Paul talked about “boasting” or “glorying” in the cross, in marked contrast to those who were undermining both his reputation and his ministry. His apparently extreme statement requires careful examination, for he calls it a rule that all God’s people are to follow.
The Blood of the Cross
The Lord Jesus asked His disciples to remember Him. He gave them bread and wine—reminders of a broken body and shed blood. This was how He wanted to be remembered.
The Offense of the Cross
John Stott says that at Christ’s cross (many) have found their pride broken, their guilt expunged, their love kindled, their hope restored and their character transformed. But many others find the cross offensive. What exactly is the “offense of the cross”?
The Message of the Cross
Cicero, the great Roman statesman, said that crucifixion was “a most cruel and disgusting punishment” and that “there is no fitting word that can possibly describe so horrible a deed.” Yet the cross became, and is still, the focus of the Christian message.
Resurrection – I Am with You Always, Part 2
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” It’s no secret that all of us will die in the end. Even Jesus died! And this makes His resurrection one of the most important aspects of His life and a source of incredible hope for us.
Resurrection – I Am with You Always, Part 1
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” It’s no secret that all of us will die in the end. Even Jesus died! And this makes His resurrection one of the most important aspects of His life and a source of incredible hope for us.
Gethsemane – Not as I Will, but as You Will
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’” How would you feel if you knew you were going to die painfully tomorrow? When Jesus was in the
Listening Ears
It’s been said that we spend just 25 minutes each day in actual conversation. The rest is non-verbal communication, or body language! Crossed arms, a smirk, tapping feet, leaning in, or looking away. It’s interesting how easy it is to get a message across to others without saying a word! So, what are you telling
Seeing Eyes
It’s been said that we spend just 25 minutes each day in actual conversation. The rest is non-verbal communication, or body language! Crossed arms, a smirk, tapping feet, leaning in, or looking away. It’s interesting how easy it is to get a message across to others without saying a word! So, what are you telling
Helping Hands
It’s been said that we spend just 25 minutes each day in actual conversation. The rest is non-verbal communication, or body language! Crossed arms, a smirk, tapping feet, leaning in, or looking away. It’s interesting how easy it is to get a message across to others without saying a word! So, what are you telling
Taming Our Tongues
It’s been said that we spend just 25 minutes each day in actual conversation. The rest is non-verbal communication, or body language! Crossed arms, a smirk, tapping feet, leaning in, or looking away. It’s interesting how easy it is to get a message across to others without saying a word! So, what are you telling
Transforming Our Minds
It’s been said that we spend just 25 minutes each day in actual conversation. The rest is non-verbal communication, or body language! Crossed arms, a smirk, tapping feet, leaning in, or looking away. It’s interesting how easy it is to get a message across to others without saying a word! So, what are you telling
Presenting Our Bodies, Part 2
It’s been said that we spend just 25 minutes each day in actual conversation. The rest is non-verbal communication, or body language! Crossed arms, a smirk, tapping feet, leaning in, or looking away. It’s interesting how easy it is to get a message across to others without saying a word! So, what are you telling
Presenting Our Bodies, Part 1
It’s been said that we spend just 25 minutes each day in actual conversation. The rest is non-verbal communication, or body language! Crossed arms, a smirk, tapping feet, leaning in, or looking away. It’s interesting how easy it is to get a message across to others without saying a word! So, what are you telling
On Wings Like Eagles, Part 2
Having reminded the Colossians about the things they believe, Paul now turns his attention to how they should behave. Christians recognize that because belief and behavior are inextricably bound up in each other, any erosion of belief will lead inevitably to a deterioration in behavior.
On Wings Like Eagles, Part 1
Having reminded the Colossians about the things they believe, Paul now turns his attention to how they should behave. Christians recognize that because belief and behavior are inextricably bound up in each other, any erosion of belief will lead inevitably to a deterioration in behavior.
Free to Be What?
The Colossian Christians were being troubled by people who were confusing them and hindering their spiritual progress. Paul spoke forcibly to the issue and in so doing he reminds us that we should be on our guard against those who would be less than helpful to our spiritual lives.
Staying on Course
Having begun their spiritual journey, the Colossians needed encouragement to continue as they had started because factors entered their lives that would take them off course.
Getting There from Here
John Bunyan’s famous allegory, “Pilgrim’s Progress,” described the journey of the believer from the “slough of despond” to “the celestial city.” In less picturesque terms, Paul did the same for the Colossians. We, too, need to know how to get there from here.
Matching the Inside with the Outside, Part 2
On a mountainside in Galilee, Jesus preached a sermon for the ages. In it He turned every religious principle on its head, carrying His hearers from conduct to character, rules to righteousness, and laws to life. In this message, guest speaker Charles Price gets to the heart of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. As you
Matching the Inside with the Outside, Part 1
On a mountainside in Galilee, Jesus preached a sermon for the ages. In it He turned every religious principle on its head, carrying His hearers from conduct to character, rules to righteousness, and laws to life. In this message, guest speaker Charles Price gets to the heart of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. As you
The Way of Love
Paul’s objective in writing the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians was not to produce a timeless Christian marriage reading or even a masterpiece of wisdom literature—though both of those things surely happened. His concern was to instruct and develop a loving, gifted church.
Loving, Part 2
How do you know what love looks like? Maybe you grew up in a household of care and support—and you feel you have a pretty good grasp on the concept. But maybe you’ve experienced some painful relationships—and you really struggle to know what love truly is. In this message, Jill points out the beautiful ways
Loving, Part 1
How do you know what love looks like? Maybe you grew up in a household of care and support—and you feel you have a pretty good grasp on the concept. But maybe you’ve experienced some painful relationships—and you really struggle to know what love truly is. In this message, Jill points out the beautiful ways
His Powerful Proof of Love, Part 2
The love of God is not just a theological truth. And the love of God is infinitely more than a warm, fuzzy feeling. As the Scriptures so wonderfully proclaim, the love of God is an accomplished, demonstrable fact that can be objectively examined, subjectively experienced, and positively enjoyed in all its life-changing glory.
His Powerful Proof of Love, Part 1
The love of God is not just a theological truth. And the love of God is infinitely more than a warm, fuzzy feeling. As the Scriptures so wonderfully proclaim, the love of God is an accomplished, demonstrable fact that can be objectively examined, subjectively experienced, and positively enjoyed in all its life-changing glory.
He Chose Me, Part 2
It’s easy for us to question God when He chooses us for a task. We feel unqualified, like God has made a mistake. But God often chooses the unexpected to do His work. David was the definition of unexpected. He was the youngest, the smallest shepherd boy—but he was chosen by God to be king.
He Chose Me, Part 1
It’s easy for us to question God when He chooses us for a task. We feel unqualified, like God has made a mistake. But God often chooses the unexpected to do His work. David was the definition of unexpected. He was the youngest, the smallest shepherd boy—but he was chosen by God to be king.
Comfort Through Love
Everybody is looking for some degree of acceptance. Everybody wants to have some sense of significance and to feel like they are “giving back.” In other words, we have the need to experience love and the need to express love to others. If these needs aren’t met, it can cause us to look for love
Trusting
When the storms of life come and the waves are crashing violently, do you find it difficult to trust that God is present and working? Whether or not you can see Him, Jesus is walking on the water in the midst of your storm—and He’s asking you to step out in faith and trust Him.
Following, Part 2
Once you become a Christian, what happens next? When Jesus called His disciples, He had one very simple request: “Follow me.” But although the phrase is simple, living it out doesn’t always seem so easy. Jill Briscoe looks at how five disciples came to Christ and started to passionately follow Him. She’ll explain how following Jesus is
Following, Part 1
Once you become a Christian, what happens next? When Jesus called His disciples, He had one very simple request: “Follow me.” But although the phrase is simple, living it out doesn’t always seem so easy. Jill Briscoe looks at how five disciples came to Christ and started to passionately follow Him. She’ll explain how following Jesus is
Changing, Part 2
Have you received Christ into your life? How can you confidently tell? Maybe you’ve become a Christian but you sometimes doubt your salvation because you’re not seeing change in your life. So, what should your life as a Christian look like? In this message, Jill Briscoe explains the evidence of a life marked by Jesus
Changing, Part 1
Have you received Christ into your life? How can you confidently tell? Maybe you’ve become a Christian but you sometimes doubt your salvation because you’re not seeing change in your life. So, what should your life as a Christian look like? In this message, Jill Briscoe explains the evidence of a life marked by Jesus
What Did Jesus Say About Faithfulness?
One look at the news and you may ask yourself, “Are we living in the last days?” With so much uncertainty going on around us, we may be wondering if the end is drawing near. After Jesus told the disciples that Jerusalem’s huge, ornate temple would be destroyed and not one stone left standing, they
What Did Jesus Say About Wealth?
We all have to deal with money, and we all deal with money in different ways, from penny pinchers to big spenders, from those living paycheck-to-paycheck to those investing millions. If we asked for financial advice from those around us, we would probably get many different answers. But consider we came into this world with
What Did Jesus Say About God?
When you picture God, what do you see? You might picture someone staunch, reserved, and dignified with long, white hair and a beard, perhaps something similar to Michelangelo’s portrayal on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The Pharisees also had ideas of what God is like, so they objected when Jesus told some parables that
What Did Jesus Say About Humility? Part 2
We live in a culture of getting what we want when we want it. Language in advertising tells us that we “deserve” the best and we should get what we want. From trash-talk in the sports arena to commercials on television, self-promotion and self-aggrandizement are everywhere. With so many self-centered messages around us, what are
What Did Jesus Say About Humility? Part 1
We live in a culture of getting what we want when we want it. Language in advertising tells us that we “deserve” the best and we should get what we want. From trash-talk in the sports arena to commercials on television, self-promotion and self-aggrandizement are everywhere. With so many self-centered messages around us, what are
What Did Jesus Say About Calamities?
Why do bad things happen to good people? This is a question many people ask, particularly when we see tragedies occurring around us. In the ancient world, the general thinking was that if you were good, God would bless you in material ways for being good. So if something bad happened to you, the community
Partners Together, Part 2
There are no guarantees that all will go smoothly in life or marriage because there are many forces intent on destroying our lives and relationships. But God promised us the resources we need to deal with life’s eventualities and we have to decide which way we are going to go—or as Joshua said, which gods
Partners Together, Part 1
There are no guarantees that all will go smoothly in life or marriage because there are many forces intent on destroying our lives and relationships. But God promised us the resources we need to deal with life’s eventualities and we have to decide which way we are going to go—or as Joshua said, which gods
Comfort through Relationship
Are you in a dead-end relationship? Disappointed because that “special person” doesn’t meet all of your needs? We hear about situations like these all the time. It’s clear we’re created as relational beings, so why do we struggle so much with relationships? In this message Stuart Briscoe teaches about the ultimate relationship that brings both
Your Need for Friendship, Part 2
You probably don’t need to be convinced about how important it is to share life with others. To be friendless in an unfriendly world is a frightening thing. But have you ever struggled to develop meaningful and precious friendships? In this message, Jill Briscoe teaches us about being vulnerable in our relationships and how friendship
Your Need for Friendship, Part 1
You probably don’t need to be convinced about how important it is to share life with others. To be friendless in an unfriendly world is a frightening thing. But have you ever struggled to develop meaningful and precious friendships? In this message, Jill Briscoe teaches us about being vulnerable in our relationships and how friendship
How to Repair Relationships
Many of us struggle to live well when we experience difficulties in our relationships. We might even live in a state of denial—shrugging our shoulders and denying individual responsibility. How do we overcome the urge to ignore tough situations? In this message, Stuart Briscoe encourages us to repair our relationships and takes us to the
Fight for the Family
Families have been under attack from the beginning of time, and they are under attack today. The devil, who hates families with complete disdain, works overtime to tear down every wall we rebuild. How do we overcome his opposition when we’re exhausted from the constant patch work? In this message, Jill Briscoe teaches from the
God’s Plan for Reconciliation, Part 2
Too often we focus on issues that divide us as a people instead of the things that unify us. And when that happens, there’s the potential to stay within your collective group of like-minded people and treat others differently, maybe even judgmentally. How do you keep yourself from a judgmental worldview so that you can
God’s Plan for Reconciliation, Part 1
Too often we focus on issues that divide us as a people instead of the things that unify us. And when that happens, there’s the potential to stay within your collective group of like-minded people and treat others differently, maybe even judgmentally. How do you keep yourself from a judgmental worldview so that you can
Cultivate Contentment, Part 2
Those of us who played organized sports in school may remember a time when the race or game was not going well, and we just wanted to give up. For many of us, it was the shouts from the sidelines that kept us going. We could hear the coach shouting, “Keep going—you can do it!”